Here in California, in Culver City, is the 2009 IFBB / NPC California Bodybuilding, Figure & Bikini championships, with 120+ NPC competitors, and 29 IFBB competitors competing. I will be there, as well as the great emcee of the West, Lonnie Teper, at the podium.

Hey! Michele D'Angona here. The Cal was my 1st Competition ever! I had a blast....bikini division Class A- all 5 feet of me!HAHA! I can't wait to compete again in Vegas at the USA's in July!

I'm currently training for the USA's but I don't know what else to do to perfect my body...definitely working on my stage presence....was a bit nervous! I can't quite figure out what they are looking for in bikini. Anybody have any idea's?

DAYUM you look great michele i have no idea what they are looking for but maybe some of the ladies on the womens board might be able to give you a better idea. You look like your probably the leanest at least from the pics ive seen...I couldnt tell you how to improve on how you look now

Thanks! I did get pretty lean- dropped down to 8% body fat. It really bothers me when I read some of the discussions about how people feel about the new bikini division in bodybuilding. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions but to say that bikini girls don't put effort into preparing for competition is not fair. I will admit there are some women who competed that probably only trained and dieted for a couple weeks at the most- and it showed. But the point is they didn't win so I don't understand why we are all being classified as not worthy of competing in bodybuilding competitions. Hopefully as time goes on people will learn to appreciate this new level of bodybuilding.

Thanks again for the awesome comment and support- can't wait till the USA's where I will hopefully get my Pro Card!